The Heir and the Spare by Kate Stradling

Her fingertips ghosted against the style. Your maid put in some extra effort this morning.” His dark eyes swept from the top of her head to the tip of her toes. He pushed away from the jamb and strolled fully into her studio, hands in his pockets and a casual air about him. “Thank you…?” she said, her intonation rising as though she were asking a question rather than accepting his compliment. S hame he was supposed to be on the other side of the room, positioned between a pair of faux-marble columns instead. Aedan wore a kind expression in his drooping eyes, his brown hair framing his face in waves, perfect for a portrait.

Iona glanced up from the tray of art supplies she had been arranging-oil paints, brushes, pencils, rags-to her cousin leaning against the door casing. “You look exceptionally nice today,” said a voice behind her. Of course grave-dancing was frowned upon in Wessett and the likelihood of Lisenn dying first was minuscule, but that didn’t stop the younger sister from sheltering such an inclination in her heart.Īnd it had nothing to do with wanting the crown, because she didn’t. Only two people had to die for Princess Iona to become queen: her father King Gawen, an aloof figure whose passing she would one day mourn, and her older sister Lisenn, whose grave she would gladly dance on should the occasion arise.

If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him and if he repent, forgive him. Names, characters, places, organizations, and events are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used in a fictitious manner. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

The Heir and the Spare by Kate Stradling